11.07.2015 Views

U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy - Joint Ocean Commission Initiative

U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy - Joint Ocean Commission Initiative

U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy - Joint Ocean Commission Initiative

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

CHAPTER 1RECOGNIZING OCEAN ASSETSAND CHALLENGESAmerica’s oceans and coasts are priceless assets. Indispensable to life itself, theyalso c<strong>on</strong>tribute significantly to our prosperity and overall quality of life. Toooften, however, we take these gifts for granted, underestimating their value andignoring our impact <strong>on</strong> them. Then our use of the oceans becomes abuse, andthe productive capacity of our marine resources is diminished.The nati<strong>on</strong> needs a comprehensive nati<strong>on</strong>al ocean policy, implementedthrough an integrated and coordinated management structure thatresults in greater participati<strong>on</strong> and collaborati<strong>on</strong> in decisi<strong>on</strong> making.By rising to the challenge and addressing the many activities thatare degrading the oceans and coasts, America can protect themarine envir<strong>on</strong>ment while creating jobs, increasing revenues,enhancing security, protecting cultural heritage, expanding trade,and ensuring ample supplies of energy, minerals, healthy food,and life-saving drugs.Evaluating the Vast Wealth ofU.S. <strong>Ocean</strong>s and CoastsAmerica is a nati<strong>on</strong> surrounded by and reliant <strong>on</strong> the oceans.From the fisherman in Maine, to the homemaker in Oreg<strong>on</strong>, tothe businesspers<strong>on</strong> in Miami, and even the farmer in Iowa, everyAmerican influences and is influenced by the sea. Our grocery stores arestocked with fish, our docks bustle with waterborne cargo, and milli<strong>on</strong>s oftourists visit our coastal communities each year, creating jobs and pumpingdollars into our ec<strong>on</strong>omy. Born of the ocean are clouds that bring life-sustainingrain to our fields and reservoirs, microscopic plankt<strong>on</strong> that generate the oxygen webreathe, energy resources that fuel industry and sustain our standard of living, and adiversity of biological species that is unmatched <strong>on</strong> land. Careful stewardship of our oceanand coastal resources is imperative to c<strong>on</strong>serve and enhance the financial, ecological, andaesthetic benefits we have come to rely up<strong>on</strong> and enjoy.Ec<strong>on</strong>omic and Employment ValueAmerica’s oceans and coasts are big business. The United States has jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over 3.4milli<strong>on</strong> square nautical miles of ocean territory in its exclusive ec<strong>on</strong>omic z<strong>on</strong>e—larger30 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!